The Career Development Initiative: 2011–2012 Member Service Project Off to a Great Start

Volume 37,Number 2

By
Kara J. Johnson

Kara J. Johnson is the Associate Editor of The Affiliate and an Associate with the Bismarck, North Dakota, firm of Zuger Kirmis & Smith.

What Is the Career Development Initiative?

The Career Development Initiative (CDI) is the ABA YLD’s member service project for the 2011–2012 bar year. The ABA YLD has joined forces with the ABA Career Center to co-sponsor and develop the CDI programming. According to ABA YLD Chair Michael Bergmann, the project is meant to be a “virtual library of career resources” for the members of the Division.

The CDI is a series of teleconferences, live seminars, and website postings focused on developing different aspects of a young lawyer’s career, whether the young lawyer is just starting out or looking to transition into a new field of practice. The programs cover information on how to get started in a particular area of law, where to get useful information, and the monthly market conditions for the chosen career path.

According to Member Service Project Coordinator Chris Fortier, who was tasked with the development of the CDI, this initiative was “something we need in our economy.” He stated that we “need more dedication from the bar to meet lawyers’ needs. This project is a step in that direction.”